2009 Baseball

Preview

Experienced Beavers excited to make their mark in the HCAC

BLUFFTON, Ohio - With the 2008 season of rebuilding and healing behind the baseball
team, Coach James Grandey moves into his sixth season as head coach at Bluffton. Grandey
looks at his eight seniors with pride, stating that, "They are a good group of players
who are full of experience and leadership," tools that will help the Beavers in their
push for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament berth. With the memories
of the March 2, 2007 bus accident imprinted on the Bluffton University baseball team,
the players and coaches are excited to get back on the field, fully energized and
focused for the challenges they will face in the 2009 season.

The team is looking to be competitive in the HCAC this season by improving everyday,
working on individual skills as well as forming a cohesive group that is focused on
being a successful team. Grandey explained, "The 2009 baseball team is different from
previous seasons. The players have better relationships with each other, creating
a more unified squad. We are all focused on our goals and are working hard to achieve
them."

The infield will be strong this year with three seniors, including three-year starter
Corey Conn (London) who is a quiet leader for the team, has excellent power and is also very
versatile. He is joined by former starting catcher Curtis Schroeder (Shelby) who has moved to first base this year. Schroeder has been very committed
to pre-season workouts and he has taken seriously his role as a team leader. Making
his much anticipated return to the infield is senior Kyle King (Dover) who has not been on the field the last two years due to injuries sustained
in the 2007 bus accident.

Junior David Riddle (Loveland/Milford) and transfers Stephen Torres (Lima/Juan Diego) and Eric Penz (Troy, Mich./Athens), who were all solid receivers during this fall, are competing
for playing time behind the plate. The outfield is also experienced with three seniors
manning the grass, including one of the Beavers' best hitters and all around players,
Chris Bauman (Milford), in left field. A healthy and talented Mike Ramthun (Springfield/Southeastern) will show off his cannon in right field while Allen Slabaugh (Dalton) covers ground in center.

The Beavers return experience at the top of the rotation this season, including senior
James Hausman (Milford) who had a breakout campaign in 2008 (3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings). Cody McPherson (Milbury/Lake) and Matt Perkins (Convoy/Crestview) give Bluffton a solid nucleus of starters that the Beavers can
trot out to the mound during HCAC action on the weekends.

In addition to having a tremendous amount of talent and experience back this year,
Grandey has brought in a talented freshman class that may see playing time early in
the season. Left handed pitcher Ryan Leugers (Botkins) is a solid freshman that may vie for the fourth or fifth starting pitching
slot. Both Leugers and Tyler Stephenson (Springfield/Northwestern) were area Players of their Year during their senior campaigns.
Stephenson, a third baseman and pitcher, and outfielder Nick Broyles (Toledo/Whitmer), may compete for playing time right away. These freshmen are, "Pretty
level headed and they don't let things get to them. They just play the game," Grandey
remarked.

In the preseason, the Beavers are focusing on building their confidence and preparing
physically and mentally for the season. Coach Grandey stated, "We are focusing on
doing the little things right day in and day out. We know that we can be successful
if we do that consistently."

The Beavers are readying themselves for their annual trip to Florida during Spring
Break, the first week of March. On the first day of March, the Beavers will face Goshen
in Sarasota, Fla., at 12:30 p.m. for their first contest of the 2009 season. The baseball
team will play six games in the Snowbird Classic after a doubleheader against Eastern
Mennonite University on March 2.

Once the Beavers return from Florida, they travel to Chillicothe to face Grandey's
alma mater, Muskingum College, on March 11. Bluffton will host its first home game
of the 2009 season on Saturday, March 14th, when the Beavers welcome first-year program
Davenport for a twin-bill at Memorial Field. With the mixture of young talent, skillful
experience and seasoned leadership, Coach Grandey is excited to begin the 2009 season.